About St. Monica · Kalamazoo, Michigan
St. Monica Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Kalamazoo located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on the city's south side at the intersection of West Kilgore Road and South Westnedge Avenue. Founded in 1955 with its church dedicated in 1957, the parish is part of the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (CSGK) system and shares its campus with St. Monica Catholic School (preschool–grade 8) and Hackett Catholic Prep High School. St. Monica offers a robust schedule of daily and Sunday Masses, perpetual adoration in a dedicated chapel, and a wide range of ministries for families, children, youth, and the broader Kalamazoo community.
- Established
- 1955
- Patron
- St. Monica
- Rector
- Rev. Russell Homic
- Diocese
- Diocese of Kalamazoo
Why belong here
St. Monica is a thriving parish with one of the most generous liturgical schedules in Kalamazoo — five Sunday Masses, weekday Masses Monday through Saturday, an active perpetual adoration chapel, and multiple weekly confession times. The parish is home to St. Monica Catholic School (preschool through 8th grade) and shares its campus with Hackett Catholic Prep, making it a natural fit for families seeking a Christ-centered education in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. With ministries for men, women, youth, quilters, and those praying for loved ones who have left the faith — plus a free parish-wide FORMED subscription — St. Monica offers both deep roots and active community life.
Mass times at St. Monica
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:30 AM (during school year only)
- Saturday: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel — 24 hours/day, 7 days a week
- Wednesday Church Adoration: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (during school year only)
About St. Monica Parish
St. Monica Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Kalamazoo serving the southwest side of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Founded in 1955 and with its church dedicated in 1957, the parish is a center for sacramental life, Catholic education, and devotion to its patroness, St. Monica — the mother of St. Augustine — whose patient prayer for her wayward son is celebrated in the parish's signature 'Millions of Monicas' outreach.
- Founded 1955; church dedicated 1957
- Member of the Diocese of Kalamazoo (Central Deanery)
- Located at 534 W. Kilgore Road at South Westnedge Avenue
- Pastored by Rev. Russell Homic, with Fr. Tom McNally (Parochial Vicar) and Deacons Kurt Lucas and Gary Stafford
Parish History
St. Monica was established in 1955 as part of the post-war growth of Catholic life in Kalamazoo, and its church was dedicated in 1957. The parish grew hand-in-hand with Catholic education on the south side: today the parish shares its campus with St. Monica Catholic School (preschool–8) and Hackett Catholic Prep High School (founded 1964 as Monsignor John R. Hackett High School). In 2013 the parish helped introduce the Covenant Scholarship Program with St. Augustine Cathedral School, providing tuition aid to dozens of families.
- Founded 1955; church dedicated 1957
- Long-serving pastor Very Rev. Larry Farrell, V.F., helped launch the 2013 Covenant Scholarship Program
- Parish campus also houses Hackett Catholic Prep (founded 1964)
Devotions
The parish nurtures Marian and patron-devotion through the First Saturday Mass for Peace (in response to Our Lady of Fatima) and the 'Millions of Monicas' prayer outreach for family members who have left the Catholic faith — both ministries reflect the parish's identity as a place of persistent, hope-filled prayer, true to the spirit of its patroness.
- First Saturday Mass for Peace at 9:00 AM, followed by the Rosary
- Millions of Monicas — prayer for children and loved ones who have left the Church
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Adoration Chapel
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by pastor Rev. Russell Homic and parochial vicar Fr. Tom McNally (who also serves as chaplain of Hackett Catholic Prep), together with Deacons Kurt Lucas and Gary Stafford. Past pastors have included Very Rev. Larry Farrell, V.F. (who also serves as Dean of the Central Deanery) and Fr. Dan Hyman, who signed recent parish communications with Bishop Lohse.
- Rev. Russell Homic — Pastor (ext. 222)
- Fr. Tom McNally — Parochial Vicar; Chaplain, Hackett Catholic Prep
- Deacon Kurt Lucas (ext. 226)
- Deacon Gary Stafford
Parish Ministries & Organizations
St. Monica supports a wide range of lay-led ministries, including groups for men, families, quilters, makers, and youth, plus a parish-funded FORMED digital library subscription that gives every parishioner free access to Catholic movies, audio dramas, e-books, and family programming.
- Catholic Men's Group
- Knights of Columbus (annual golf outing and other parish events)
- Lap Robe Workers — sewing/quilting group meeting Wednesdays 10:00 AM–2:00 PM in the Community Building
- Saint Monica Mercantile — parish makers/crafters group featured at the Parish Picnic
- FORMED — free parish-wide subscription for Catholic content (Augustine Institute & Ignatius Press)
Sacramental Life
St. Monica prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Sacramental preparation is coordinated through the parish office, and Reconciliation is offered three times a week (Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning during the school year, and Saturday afternoon).
- Baptism
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Tue 6–7 PM, Wed 7:30 AM (school year), Sat 3–4 PM
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo
St. Monica is one of the parishes that anchors the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (CSGK) system. The parish's elementary school, St. Monica Catholic School (preschool through 8th grade), operates from the campus at 1000 W. Kilgore Road, and the same campus is home to Hackett Catholic Prep, the diocesan high school that opened in 1964 as Monsignor John R. Hackett High School. In 2013 the parish helped launch the Covenant Scholarship Program alongside St. Augustine Cathedral School, providing tuition aid to Catholic-school families.
- St. Monica Catholic School (preschool–grade 8)
- Hackett Catholic Prep (diocesan high school, founded 1964)
- Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (CSGK) umbrella system
- Covenant Scholarship Program (launched 2013 with St. Augustine Cathedral School)
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish office can be reached at (269) 345-4389; the building is at 534 W. Kilgore Road on Kalamazoo's south side, near the intersection with South Westnedge Avenue. Newcomers can register online through the parish website, and job openings are posted on the site as well.
- Address: 534 W. Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
- Phone: (269) 345-4389
- Parish registration available via the website
- Bulletin, job openings, and ministry information posted at stmonicachurchkzoo.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. Larry Farrell, V.F.
Long-serving pastor; referenced as pastor as late as 2013 when launching the Covenant Scholarship Program with St. Augustine Cathedral School.
- Fr. Dan Hyman
Pastor; signed a recent parish letter and the Bishop's Annual Appeal message with Bishop Lohse.